Jhelum continues to recede, all major gauges below warning level

Tributaries show mixed trend, Wular inches up; officials say overall recession in Jhelum Basin continues despite rainfall

Rehan Qayoom Mir

Srinagar, Jul 25: The water level in River Jhelum continued to recede across Kashmir on Saturday evening, with all major gauge stations remaining below the warning level despite moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of South Kashmir earlier in the day.

According to the Irrigation & Flood Control Department’s data the Jhelum was flowing at 14.62 feet at Sangam, 4.23 metres at Pampore, 17.21 feet at Munshibagh and 12.74 feet at Asham, with all four stations showing a decreasing trend.

The water level at Wular Lake stood at 1,576.58 metres and was showing a marginal increase.

Among the tributaries, the data showed that Vishow Nallah at Khudwani (6.02 m), Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi (1.29 m) and Lidder Nallah at Batkoot (0.77 m) registered a rising trend, while Sindh Nallah at Doderhama (1.87 m) continued to recede. The gauge at Doodhganga Nallah in Barzulla remained unavailable.

Earlier in the evening, the Irrigation & Flood Control Department said moderate to heavy rainfall over the southern catchment of the Jhelum Basin had caused a temporary rise in water levels in the upper reaches and could slow the rate of recession downstream up to Wular Lake.

However, citing IMD forecasts, the department said rainfall activity was expected to decrease over South Kashmir and gradually shift towards Central and North Kashmir, adding that the overall receding trend of water levels across the Jhelum Basin up to Wular Lake was expected to continue.

All gauge stations in South and Central Kashmir had receded below the warning level, the department said, advising people to remain alert and avoid venturing near riverbanks and flood-prone areas.

Meanwhile, Kashmir Weather, an independent weather forecaster, said rainfall had now stopped at most places across Jammu & Kashmir.

“A few areas may still witness brief showers until tomorrow, but the main weather system has now weakened and moved away,” it said.

The forecaster said river water levels might continue to rise during the night as runoff from the earlier rainfall gradually reached the rivers. “However, once again, there is no flood threat,” it added—(KNO)